No. 5 Mk 1 Jungle Carbine Rebarreling

[stuffit]

I've had this little rifle since the early 80's.  As best I recall, I swapped something a friend wanted for it, which is actually pretty uncharactistic of me being as how I'm kind of a "hoarder".  


Anyway,  at the time I loaded up some rounds and found that it would not stabilize the bullets.  As a matter of fact, you could hear them "whirrrr" as they traveled down range.  I interpreted this to mean the barrel was worn out, and it did look like the inside of a neglected smokestack.  But I knew that when I acquired it.    Anyway,  I got to looking around the net some today and found a barrel for a regular Enfield on Numrich and ordered it since it was only $34.00.  I've found a page that describes shortening the barrel and installing the little flash guard on the muzzle.  I have never taken a barrel off a rifle or put one on, but I have a nice heavy duty vice with some lead guards for the jaws.  I am looking for advice/instructions on how to approach this project and what might be a reasonable estimate as to a gunsmith's fee for taking the old barrel off  and installing the new one.  Or if it might be something I could if approached charitably and cautiously?  Any input will be much appreciated.  Thanks.
Best Regards,
stuffit

[John Traveler1]

stuffit,

My advice is to NOT try and rebarrel your SMLE jungle carbine unless you have the proper barrel vise blocks (aluminum, not lead) and the proper fitting action wrench and blocks.  To do otherwise is asking for receiver damage and frustration.  The SMLE surplus barrel may or may not index correctly to your receiver, and if it does not, you will need a lathe and headspace gages to install properly.

The mechanics of rebarreling are not rocket science, but I've seen many military surplus and commercial arms ruined by shadetree mechanics that did not have the proper tools or knowledge for this.

A gunsmith will probably charge you $40-$60 for a simple barrel swap if no fitting is required.

[Siskiyou]

What diameter bullet did you try.  Depending on the manufacture there are bullets for the .303 in the .311, and .312.

[stuffit]

Thanks for the responses.  Kinda the way my mind was "traveling" too.
I had to go down to my loading room to see what the diameters of those bullets I tried were.  One I tried was .311 and another .312.  My memory tells me that there was another maybe .313 but they all were/are commercial bullets and I didn't see any down there so designated.  Results with all of them were dismal.
s.